Litter tray stinks house out

[zerocapacity]

Cat very old and confused and requires litter tray indoors now but I hate the smell of poo as we open front door.
Is there a litter tray that masks odours or something I can do as I know if I can smell it as soon as door open anyone else is going to smell it a lot more.
I hate the house smelling of poo and embarrassing if visitors arrive unexpectedly.

If the like clay based try evergreen I think its called 🤔 fabulous clumping and no real smell it's too expensive for my three but if I had one I would have it in a heartbeat

We've also got hooded litter trays - well top down and large ones but there are ones like this
https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_litter_litter_boxes/large_litter_boxes/large_boxes/278485

with carbon filters.

A canada clay type litter such as Tigerino premium should help. https://www.bitiba.co.uk/shop/cats_accessories/cat_litter/tigerino/clumping/371097

@Nclktnntt You shouldn’t put cat poo down the toilet. It isn’t just the litter that is a problem.

“Anglian Water, which has the largest operating area of any water company in of England and Wales and treats used water from over six million people, says that water treatment processes are unable to eliminate certain types of dangerous bacteria that can be found in animal faeces.”

Water company issues warning about flushing cat litter

Yeah it's just you said you were 'puzzled' when I said my cat litter smells so maybe those people were saying sometimes people don't realise their own home has unpleasant smells because it becomes a familiar smell and people get used to those odours. It came across as you were implying I don't clean litter tray enough as you were 'puzzled'.
I wouldn't come on a forum like this if I wasn't bothered about caring for my cat properly.
Also most visitors would be too polite to say someone else's home smelled.

@Polis thank you for pointing this out, I will have a proper read about the toxins and if it's related to the food they eat as mine eats a very healthy diet compared to many who have supermarket cat foods, however, having a super quick read, I can't see how cat poop can block a pipe that takes human waste which is much larger than theirs, but the toxins some cats carry is something I will research and investigate. If that's the case I'd just put it in the garden - it has to go somewhere, but putting it in the bin to go to landfill is a no no for me too.

@Tulipvase its the part that's fully absorbed it's water content already that goes down. I break it up into smaller bits with the scoop so as not to risk blockages. It's like a sponge and can't absorb any more water / moisture once it's already done so if that makes sense.

Thanks - I was imagining it getting stuck in a fat berg type thing.

Also, the bacteria they are talking about comes mainly from the cats eating infected birds, mice etc. If yours Is an indoor cat it’s unlikely they would be affected but I don’t think the food you give them would make any difference really.

In the nicest way possible, I bet your house does smell. You're just used to it. I expect any visitors who says it doesn't is just being polite...

OP you can get some stuff to shake on litter to keep it fresh from Amazon. It's about £1.50. It does helps! I expect its just bicarb as mentioned above though

We also noticed that Sheba and Felix makes cat poo smell worse. So changed the food which has helped a lot.

Also most visitors would be too polite to say someone else's home smelled

I know two people with stinky litter trays. 1) I told them and they disagreed with me.
2) I lied and said it was fine. He's a sensitive soul and I didn't want to hurt his feelings.

@Tulipvase ahhh thank you for that. She's indoor now - has been for around 4 years when she fell really poorly and we nearly lost her, she's 23 years old! So, If she does go out at all now, it's no further than the patio area for a drink of rain water if it's rained and she's straight back in 😂 she can't catch birds or mice anymore, hasn't for at least 15 years anyway bless her. Thank you again.

Aw bless her. Sounds like she has a lovely life with you.

Litter trays don't really smell unless you're not cleaning them out properly. Remove solid waste as soon as it appears and change all cat litter every 2-3 days. Disinfect litter box with a bit of disinfectant, leave for 10 mins and rinse out then refill - disinfect once a week.

Be warned, if you don't keep on top of the litter boxes, the cat will get fed up and start toileting elsewhere.

I think they always have a smell. It may be mild or strong but never not there.
I clean litter tray as soon as I see something in it so I don't think it's correct that they only smell if you don't clean them out. I am really fussy about this which is why I made the post for advice/suggestions.

They are never going to say 'oh yes you are right my house does smell' 😂

• BIG deep litter tray.
• Vancat clumping litter and keep it at a minimum depth of about 8cm.
• Scoop out any toiletting clumps as often as you can.
• keep topping up the litter.

I’m going to join the people who said the type of litter makes all the difference. Good quality clumping litter should absorb most smell. I have quite a sensitive nose for smells and I find catsan the best for us, though quite pricey. Waitrose own brand and Tesco own brand are alright but seem to not last as long. The Waitrose one is lavender scented which some cats might not like. I have 2 modkat trays and change the liner often - unfortunately I don’t recommend it as since Brexit the liners became really expensive, but maybe a similar one with the same concept?

Also to add. Litters like Vancat may seem expensive in comparison to some, but with a cheaper litter you may be needing to do a full tray empty and change now and then, essentially binning a full tray of the stuff. I switched to Vancat in November and I've not had to do a full litter tray change since. Just scoop out the lumps and top up. 👍

We switched DCat to Katkin when he came to us as a kitten, and his poo went from toxic to genuinely odourless. Literally you cannot smell it. If he ever manages to get his paws on something he isn't supposed to have, you can definitely smell it in the litter tray the next day. We use clumping litter and can go weeks without changing it.

Whirlyhead is on the right track, although there should always be one more litter tray than the number of cats.

I recommend you buy this fabulous book: it addresses the topic of litter trays and litter and cleaning practices and the type of foods.

I have had up to 10 feral cats in my flat at any time being treated medically and recuperating after surgery. I followed her methods and there was no smell. My landlord who visits regularly is amazed that there is no smell.

The natural cat: the comprehensive guide to optimum care by Anitra Frazier and Norma Eckroate ISBN 9780452289758 (2008 edition).

@Nclktnntt @mybestchildismycat is Katkin food hideously expensive? Does it take over your entire freezer?